California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions and pressing societal challenges

Dean

Thomas F. Rosenbaum

Academic staff

100 - 500

Students

2230

Locations

Pasadena, California, USA

Established

1920

Afiliations

Association of American Universities (AAU) California Association for Research in Astronomy (CARA) Keck Institute for Space Studies Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Moore-Hufstedler Fund Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3)

Address

1200 East California Boulevard Pasadena, California 91125

Social Media

URL

https://events.caltech.edu/

Summary

The California Institute of Technology, commonly known as Caltech, is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. It was founded in 1891 and has since become one of the world's leading institutions for science and engineering research and education.

Caltech is home to six academic divisions: Biology and Biological Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Engineering and Applied Science, Geological and Planetary Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a range of fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, economics, and political science.

Caltech has a strong reputation for its scientific research, with notable achievements in the areas of astronomy, astrophysics, physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and computer science. It is home to several major research centres, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is managed by Caltech for NASA. JPL has played a key role in many NASA missions, including the Mars rover expeditions and the Voyager space probes.

Caltech has a small but highly selective student body, with a total enrollment of around 2,200 undergraduate and graduate students. The university is known for its rigorous academic programs and research opportunities, as well as its close-knit community of students, faculty, and staff.

In addition to its academic programs, Caltech is also known for its strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. The university has a number of initiatives aimed at promoting technology transfer and commercialization, including the Caltech Office of Technology Transfer and the Caltech Entrepreneurs Forum.

History

Caltech, officially known as the California Institute of Technology, is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Established in 1891 as Throop University, it was renamed as Caltech in 1920.

The early history of Caltech began when Amos Throop, a wealthy businessman, donated land to establish a vocational school. The school was initially called Throop University and was located in downtown Los Angeles. It was founded to provide practical education in engineering, agriculture, and horticulture to the young men of Southern California.

In 1892, Throop University appointed Arthur C. Page as its first principal. Page was instrumental in the development of the university, and under his leadership, the school expanded its course offerings, began to attract a more diverse student body, and became known for its scientific research.

In 1910, Throop University moved to its current location in Pasadena, and in 1920, it was renamed the California Institute of Technology. The name change reflected the school's growing reputation as a centre for scientific research and innovation.

Throughout the 20th century, Caltech became one of the world's leading research institutions, known for its groundbreaking work in fields such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. It has produced numerous Nobel laureates, including Richard Feynman, Linus Pauling, and William Shockley.

In addition to its research achievements, Caltech has also been home to many important scientific discoveries. In 1938, Caltech physicists, including Enrico Fermi, discovered nuclear fission, a breakthrough that would eventually lead to the development of nuclear energy. In the 1960s, Caltech scientists played a key role in the development of the laser, a technology that has had a profound impact on fields ranging from medicine to telecommunications.

Today, Caltech is home to nearly 3,000 students and over 300 faculty members. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in science, engineering, and mathematics, as well as interdisciplinary programs in areas such as environmental science, bioengineering, and computation and neural systems. Caltech continues to be recognized as one of the world's leading research universities, known for its commitment to scientific inquiry and innovation.

Courses

Caltech offers a wide range of courses across six academic divisions: Biology & Biological Engineering, Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Engineering & Applied Science, Geological & Planetary Science, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Physics, Mathematics & Astronomy.

The Core Curriculum is a central part of the Caltech experience, and every first-year student takes the same classes during their first two terms. The core curriculum emphasizes learning across disciplines, and students take classes in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and humanities and social sciences. The core curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation for all upper-level courses.

Caltech offers a variety of majors and minors, including Aerospace, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Applied Physics, Astrophysics, Bioengineering, Biology, Business, Economics, and Management, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computational and Neural Systems, Computer Science, Control and Dynamical Systems, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, Geobiology, Geochemistry, Geology, Geophysics, History, History and Philosophy of Science, Information and Data Sciences, Materials Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Philosophy, Physics, Planetary Science, Political Science, Structural Mechanics, and Visual Culture.

In addition to these majors and minors, Caltech offers an Interdisciplinary Studies Program that allows students to design their own course of study. This program provides an opportunity for students to explore their interests and passions in a more personalized way.

Caltech also offers a number of cross-registration options, allowing students to take courses at nearby institutions like the ArtCenter College of Design, Occidental College, and the Pasadena City College.

Research is a fundamental part of the Caltech experience, and over 90% of students participate in research while at Caltech, regardless of their major. Students have the opportunity to work with Ph.D.-level researchers in a variety of fields and can conduct research at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory or the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. Caltech also offers exchange programs in countries like China and Iceland, providing students with opportunities to conduct research in an international setting.

Global MBA rankings

Caltech does not offer a traditional MBA program. However, the university does offer a Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) program, which is a one-year, full-time program designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing management positions within technical fields.

While there is no global MBA ranking for Caltech's MSEM program, it is highly regarded in the field of engineering management. The program focuses on developing leaders who have a strong foundation in engineering principles, while also providing them with the skills necessary to manage complex technical projects and teams.

The MSEM program at Caltech has a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 12%. The program is designed for individuals who have already completed an undergraduate degree in engineering or a related field, and who have some professional experience.

While the MSEM program at Caltech is not a traditional MBA, it does provide students with a valuable education and skill set that can lead to high-paying, challenging careers in technical management. Graduates of the program have gone on to work for a variety of companies, including Boeing, Google, and Tesla, among others.

Job integration rate

Caltech, also known as the California Institute of Technology, has a strong reputation for providing excellent academic programs and research opportunities in fields such as science, engineering, and technology. In addition to its undergraduate and graduate programs, Caltech also offers a Global MBA program through the Caltech Center for Technology and Management Education (CTME).

One important aspect of any MBA program is the job integration rate, which refers to the percentage of graduates who secure employment within a specified period after completing the program. In the case of Caltech's Global MBA program, the job integration rate is consistently high, with many graduates finding positions with top companies in a variety of industries.

According to data from the Caltech Career Development Center, the job integration rate for Caltech Global MBA graduates is over 90%. This impressive figure reflects the strength of the program's curriculum, faculty, and industry connections, which help prepare students for successful careers in a rapidly evolving global business landscape.

The Global MBA program at Caltech is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in business principles, while also emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurship. Through a combination of coursework, hands-on projects, and industry partnerships, students gain practical experience and develop the skills needed to succeed in a range of business settings